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SPHS students earn awards, scholarships. See page A - 6 . r ■ | ¥ \ SOUTH PLAINFIELD Metuchen1 he • Edison • Highland ReporterPark • Piscataway M Vol. 36, No. 2 4 _____________________________________________________Friday, June 11, 1999 ^ 50 cents ^Briefs] Indictment handed down in sex assault By CRAIG TURPIN nal complaints against Munz he was meeting with police,” Rea Munz allegedly sexually assaulted of aggravated sexual assault, STAFF WRITER alleging they had been sexually said. a 14-year-old boy. The boy later told aggravated criminal sexual contact Auditions set assaulted by the former Boy Scout Last year when news broke of his parents who reported the inci and endangering the welfare of a for ‘Music Man’ SOUTH PLAINFIELD — After counselor. Munz’s arrest, those in the commu dent to authorities Aug. 28. Munz child for the alleged incidents with more than a year’s investigation, According to Assistant nity and at the Watchung Area Boy was questioned and denied the one boy between October 1995 and SOUTH PLAINFIELD — Lothar Munz, 77, Tompkins Middlesex County Prosecutor Scout Council were shocked to allegation. The youth also did not January 19%. He is indicted on The South Plainfield Summer Avenue, was indicted on seven Joseph Rea, the investigation learn of the allegations. Don Watt, want to press charges, Rea said. criminal sexual contact for the Drama Workshop has sched counts of sexual contact with began in May 1998 when a 17- scoutmaster of the council, said Watt sai^ when the counsel April 1998 incident with the same uled auditions for this year’s underage boys he worked with at year-old youth went to South Munz had been dropped from its learned of the allegation it dropped boy. production of “The Music his home while a Boy Scout coun Plainfield police headquarters in list of merit badge counselors in Munz from its list of counselors. He was indicted on charges of Man.” selor. the middle of the night to report a September 19% after allegations Watt said steps were taken to aggravated criminal sexual contact Auditions will be 6-9 p.m. Munz had been arrested and sexual assault allegedly committed had surfaced that he had sexually inform all those who may have had and endangering the welfare of a Monday and Tuesday in the charged with the first of these inci by Munz. assaulted a scout he was counsel contact with Munz that he was no child for the alleged August 19% South Plainfield High School dents last year. However it has The youth had been seeing ing. longer a part of the scouts and incident with the other youth. He chorus room. They are open to taken until June 8 of this year for Munz for help in earning Boy Munz had been involved in the monitor new merit badge cards to was also charged with hindering any South Plainfield resident a Grand Jury to meet and indict Scout merit badges. He reported he Boy Scouts for 40 years. He had ensure Munz was not having con his own apprehension by allegedly who has completed fifth grade Munz. The most serious of the had been sexually assaulted by even received the Silver Beaver tact with scouts. giving false information to police and will be 19 or younger by charges, first-degree aggravated Munz the previous day and had award from the council which But, both police and Rea said, during questioning on Aug. 28, Aug. 5. sexual assault, carries a minimum another meeting with Munz the serves Middlesex, Union, Somerset Munz was able to begin counseling 19%. Students from all area prison sentence of 10 to 20 years. next day, Rea said. and Morris counties. a 17-year-old at his home in April Munz and his attorney, Francis schools are encouraged to audi Earlier this year police reported “He left a note with his mother According to Rea during an 1998. X. Hermes, could not be reached for tion. Prepare a short song; two borough boys had filed crimi in the middle of the night saying Aug. 9, 19% counseling session Munz was indicting on charges comment. dress comfortably for dance and movement. An accompa nist and (if necessary) a tape player will be provided. In addition, any student Low who wants to join the orchestra or backstage crew is welcome to visit and fill out an applica turnout tion. Rehearsals begin the week of June 28 with performances m arks scheduled Aug. 5-8. For more information, call (908) 561- 4416. prim ary Fun Festival By UBBYBARSKY at Kid’s Place CORRESPONDENT SOUTH PLAINFIELD — A SOUTH PLAINFIELD — The Fun Festival will take place 10 primary Tuesday was a long day a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, June 26 for election workers because only at the YMCA Kid’s Place, on 237 voters out of 11,827 regis the grounds of St. Stephen’s tered voters came to the polls. Lutheran Church, 3145 Park This year’s number of votes was Ave. even lower than last year with Face painting, spin art, sand 169 Democrats and 152 art, games and a clown are Republicans recorded. among the activities for chil Only two percent of the bor dren planned on the church ough's registered voters went to lawn. Parents will have a con the polls Tuesday. signment table on the site. Hot 11118 year’s primary did yield a dogs, hamburgers and soda write-in candidate for Borough will be available for purchase. Council to go on the ballot in the Proceeds will benefit the Republican line in the Nov. 2 gen YMCA Kid’s Place, a full-day eral election. Truck mechanic child care center sponsored by Mark Tomei received 12 write-in the Plainfield Area YMCA. votes to run as a Republican for a For more information, call council seat. His 12 write-in votes (908) 822-9076 or (908) 756- was three more than were neces 6060. sary to get on the ballot. The number of write-in votes Sign-up for Tomei needed was determined by summer programs the percentage of local registered Republicans who voted in the SOUTH PLAINFIELD — last election for New Jersey Registration is underway for Assembly. summer programs sponsored According to Borough Clerk by the Recreation Department. James Eckert, Tomei must go to Supervised activities in the the Middlesex County Clerk’s parks are planned June 30- office by June 15 to accept the Aug. 13 for Riley, Roosevelt, nomination. Kennedy and Franklin schools. Eckert was informed of the Hours will be 8:30-11:30 a.m. write-in formula after he told The and 12:30-3:30 p.m., rain or Reporter last week that a write- shine. A fee will apply for arts in candidate would need 50 votes, and crafts. a number the borough clerk said Tennis in Spring Lake Park was based on signatures needed also begins June 30 and ends on a nominating petition. Aug. 13. Children 6-9 can play The arts come to life at “If it had been a similar situa 9-10:30 a.m. Children 10-14 tion for the Democrats,” he said, can play 10:30 a.m.-noon. Each “the number of write-in votes child must wear sneakers and Franklin School needed would have been 38.” bring their own racket to each Brandon Downes (above) gets ready for his role as Papa Bear while Democrats have a sizable class. In addition, children Jessica Gregorio (right) plays Goldilocks in “Goldilocks and the Four advantage in party registration must bring an unopened can of Bears” performed by the Franklin School Drama Club last in South Plainfield. tennis balls to the first class. Wednesday. “Goldilocks and the Four Bears” featured Jonathan Tomei grew up in South The programs are open for Sukenik as the Storyteller and Little Bear; Ashley Sacks as Mama Plainfield and remembers play children who will enter first Bear; Brandon aa Papa Bear; Alyssa Cirllll as baby Bear; and, ing baseball on the field behind grade in September to those Jessica as Goldilocks. The story was revised by Randi Gregorio. The completing sixth grade this the old American Smelting and club also performed “Dragon Heart,” written by Patty Abbott It fea Refining Co. building at Oak Tree month. tured Kelly Downe as the child with her book, Paige Berkowltz as the To register, visit the recre and Park avenues. Narrator; Matt Emery as Prince Beau; Amber Berkowltz as Golds; The last time he attended a ation office in the Police Valerie Moreno as Esperenza; Sarah Brooks as Bella; Amanda Salib Athletic League building on council meeting was when devel as Gabrielis; Carrie Moore as Emilia; Gina Butrico as the Dragon; opment of the ASARCO property Maple Avenue or visit the site Adam Meleo as the King; Brittanie Wong as the Queen; Tara O’Keefe you want to attend on the first for use as a shopping center was as Servant One; Hannah Levine as Servant Two; Susan Mott as under discussion. day of the program. Proof of Peasant One; Dorothy Cameron as Peasant Two; and, Jacob Levine, residency and a parent’s signa Tomei and his wife Wendy working as stage crew. Special thanks were given to Linda have a daughter, Kaitlin, 13, who ture are required. Berkowltz, Kathy Downes, Liz Teal, Patty Abbott, Mary Sacks and For more information, call will be graduating from South Katie Mott. Plainfield Middle School, and a (908) 226-7713. PHOTOS BY GEORGE PACCIELLO son, Mark, 5. The write-in candidate said he would attend council meetings with Hank Grabarz, who received 83 votes as the only GOP primary Inside candidate for'council.